Now in its fifth year, this popular module, “Finding a Leg to Stand On: Clinical, Critical and Creative Approaches to the Human Body”, explores what it means to be and to have a body through multiple lenses and practices. Exceptionally highly rated by students and external examiners alike, it is an exciting opportunity for transdisciplinary learning for external students joining the module.
Testimonials
Finding a Leg to Stand On Course overview
This module is not currently running and will be available in the 2026/7 academic year.
The module focuses on the leg as a vehicle through which to critique the body, health and illness. It uses an applied medical humanities’ approach, in which the different Humanities disciplines (philosophy, cultural studies, literary studies, sociology, history of art), Fine Art and Medicine are used as lenses through which to analyse illness, human experience and clinical practice.
As a tangible example of a component of the body, the leg allows us to explore the ways in which bodies are constructed culturally, clinically, politically and experientially.
The module examines the relations between culture, society, the body and illness through exploring ideas such as surface and depth, normality and abnormality, presence and loss, visibility and invisibility, beauty and ugliness, illness and health.
Learning activities include:
- critical analysis of short selected texts
- practical exercises such as collaborative drawing
- creative writing
- imagined case histories and discussion of ethical issues
- visual analysis
- museum visits
- reflective writing and
- small group discussion.
The course will run on Monday evenings of Spring Term 2025/26 from 6.00 pm to 8.30 pm (blended teaching on site and online), starting in January 2026 for 11 weeks. Dates to be confirmed.
Teaching ends at the end of March and essays will be due in at the end of April 2026.
Who is it for?
This course is for clinical staff, including nurses, allied health professionals and medical staff, health humanities academics and artists interested in the intersects between healthcare and creative practice. Entry requirements for the Level 6 and Level 7 module will differ.
Benefits
This module is taught by world class experts, clinicians and artists from St George’s Medical School and beyond.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
- discuss and interrogate, with peers from contrasting educational backgrounds, the complexities of human experience of identity, embodiment, illness and pain
- write in critical and more exploratory or experiential ways about the nature of their own clinical or creative and intellectual practices. Communicate findings and conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences
- reflect critically on their clinical, intellectual and/or creative practices both individually and in a group.
Assessment and certificates
This module is taught by world class experts, clinicians and artists from St George’s Medical School and beyond.
The course will be assessed based on three, written submissions:
- 1,000 words of reflective writing (0% of assessment)
- 1,500-word resubmission of reflective writing (40% of assessment), and
- 3,000-word essay (60% of assessment).
You will be provided with a Level 6 or Level 7, 30 credit university transcript upon successful completion of the course.
Credits
This course is worth 30 credits toward eligible programmes.
How to apply
To apply for "Finding a Leg to Stand On: Clinical, Critical and Creative Approaches to the Human Body", follow these steps:
- Check Eligibility: Ensure you meet any prerequisites or eligibility criteria mentioned.
- Fill in the Application Form: Please note that this course may be taken at Level 6 (Undergraduate) or Level 7 (postgraduate). Ensure that you select the appropriate level:
- Payment: Once your application has been approved, you will be contacted with payment instructions.
- Confirmation: After submitting your application and payment, you should receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive this, please check your spam/junk folder. Keep this for your records.
- Prepare for the Course: Review any pre-course materials or requirements provided in the confirmation email.
If applying for this module, you MUST state the Module Title and Course Code in the personal statement tab. Without this we will be unaware of what module you are applying for and will delay your application decision.
If you encounter any issues or have questions, consider contacting the course provider directly through the contact information available on the website.
Eligibility
Students should have suitable background knowledge to successfully complete this course. It is suited to clinical staff, including nurses, allied health professionals and medical staff, health humanities academics and artists interested in the intersects between healthcare and creative practice.
Entry requirements for the Level 6 and Level 7 module will differ.
If you have any questions, you can contact us at pec@sgul.ac.uk.
English requirements
Candidates must meet City St George’s requirements for English language proficiency.